20th Annual Ski & Snowboard Expo Nov. 4-6, 2011

THE FACTS: Front Range skiers and snowboarders looking for 40-75 percent off retail on last season’s boards, boots, clothing and accessories should slide into the 20th Annual Colorado Ski & Snowboard Expo Nov. 4-6 at the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver from noon to 10pm on Friday, 10am to 8pm on Saturday, and 10am to 6pm on Sunday. All 26 Colorado resorts will be on site selling season passes and lift tickets. Mountain lodging properties will be offering early-bird lodging packages and incentives. New this year: The Rocky Mountain Brew Fest debuts inside the Expo gates and for an additional fee of $25, beer lovers can indulge in three hours of sampling from seven local breweries including Breckenridge, Bristol and Odell as well as a selection of Bavarian imports from Paulaner HP USA; the Keystone Kidtopia Play Park will have a bouncy castle; and the Liftopia Freestyle Aerial Show featuring the Flying Aces has a new addition to their trampoline show—the RipStoke mountain bike team with demonstrations of mountain bike tricks and techniques.

Admission is $12 for adults or $10 with a discount coupon available at any Colorado Ski & Golf store or purchased in advance at www.OnTheSnow.com. Kids 12 and under are free. Tickets to one of the four 3-hour Rocky Mountain Brew Fest tasting sessions are $25 or $20 if purchased by Nov. 3. Admission to the Brew Fest also requires an Expo ticket. A $30 combination ticket can be purchased online by using the promo code BREW. Tasting times are: Friday, Nov. 4 from 6-9 pm; Saturday, Nov. 5 from 1-4pm or from 5-8pm; and Sunday, Nov. 6 from 2-5pm.

VIDEO & PHOTO OPPORTUNITES: Kids that want to try skiing for the first time can put on their first pair of boots and skis and slide down the Winter Park Kids Slope with experienced instructors to help. Kids will also be testing their balancing skills on the Gibbon Slackline, a narrow length of webbing a few inches above the ground for a tightrope experience designed to improve balance and build muscle. The “Eliteam” Training Center, led by Olympian and downhill medalist Doug Lewis is back with an interactive, physical-fitness fun area where kids can race, train and challenge themselves on a special obstacle-laden training course. Also returning is the MBS Mountainboards Big Air Show where performers on specially adapted skateboards execute a series of high-energy acrobatics with plenty of flipping, spinning and rail sliding. Great visuals, silly tricks and unpredictable antics are the hallmarks of the entertainment and contests emceed by “Uncle E” on Center Stage.

About the Author

Zach Berman

Zach Berman is a man with a dream. A very simple dream—mostly involving skiing and beer—but a dream nonetheless. He's a Sales and Production guy for Freeskier Magazine and quite possibly the world's best napper.